Artwork
The river Wensum, with the backs of old hosues in King Street, Norwich
The river Wensum, with the backs of old hosues in King Street, Norwich is a drawing by Miles Cotman. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
The river Wensum, with the backs of old houses in King Street, Norwich, is a pencil drawing created by Miles Cotman in 1850. The work captures a rear view of old buildings alongside the river, as annotated by the artist on the mount.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing focuses on the lesser-seen rear facades of King Street's old houses, overlooking the river Wensum. This perspective, common in on-site sketches, suggests an interest in everyday, unpolished aspects of the landscape.
Technique & Style
Characterized by quick, light lines, the sketch conveys a sense of rapid execution. Steep-roofed buildings with small, sometimes shuttered windows are set amidst a sparsely populated yard. Heavy shading and implied use of cross-hatching techniques enhance depth and shadow.
History & Provenance
Created in 1850 by Miles Cotman, specific provenance details beyond the annotated mount are not provided. The sketch's unfinished appearance is typical of preliminary on-site works.
Context
This drawing reflects 19th-century artistic practices of sketching landscapes from unconventional vantage points, often for later development. The emphasis on the rear of buildings highlights a fascination with the mundane and authentic.
Legacy
While the drawing's direct influence is not detailed, it contributes to the broader legacy of Cotman's observational sketches, offering insight into mid-19th-century Norwich and artistic field practices.
Artist & collection
Artist
Miles Cotman left behind small, precise drawings of everyday waterways and ships.
